When she returned to the inspection room, the girls seemed to have finally been coaxed back into their clothes.

“So,” she grinned, “good news! I’ve got a troop of Girl Guides coming for a tour after lunch. They’re going to be shown all our facilities and then we’re going to roast one of them for the others to enjoy!”

“Oh wow! Really?” Jessica exclaimed in delight. “My troop only ever goes boring places like museums and fields where supposedly something important happened hundreds of years ago but all that’s there now is a few old stones and some dog-muck!” Mollie couldn’t help giggling at this.

“Yup, really!” she grinned. “They’re camping close by and wanted to show the girls what went on in a place like this. Anyway, I’ve spoken to the Captain and she’s more than happy for the two of you to tag along on the tour, any enjoy the barbecue afterwards, of course!” Both girls squealed with excitement, their eyes wide. The only thing potentially more exciting would have been to hear that they were going to be served up themselves but, if they still had to wait a little while, getting to watch another girl go through the whole process then enjoy her meat was a pretty respectable second!

“We’ve got a little while until they come.” she smiled. “There’s usually a sandwich van outside about now, how about I treat you to lunch?” The offer of food was, of course, met with an enthusiastic response. “You’re welcome to join us,” Mollie smiled at the mother, “or you can go do other stuff and I’ll give you a call when it’s time to pick them up? I promise not to cook them without informing you first!” she added with a giggle.

“You know, a few hours to myself might be handy.” the woman smiled. “I have some shopping to do and there’s an exhibition on in town that I’m pretty sure the girls would find incredibly boring so, if you don’t mind, I’ll take you up on your offer and leave them in your capable hands!” With that settled, Mollie walked the family back out to reception which was now empty, a gap in the appointment schedule being worked in on quiet days to allow all the staff to take their breaks at more or less the same time and make use of the sandwich van which did the rounds of the industrial estate the facility was on. “Be good, you two!” the woman smiled, kissing both her daughters on their tops of their heads before heading to her car. “Have fun and I’ll see you later!”

“Do they serve Girl?” Marcia asked, intrigued, as she, her sister and Mollie joined the short queue behind Maureen and two of the boys from the warehouse.

“Among other things, yes.” Mollie smiled. “Everything’s pretty good honestly! I normally eat at my desk but there’s a nice little picnic area on the grass round the side of the building and there’s something there I think you’d really like to see!” It did not take long for their little party to reach the front of the line.

“What’ll it be?” the friendly, older woman who had always reminded Mollie of a school dinner-lady asked, leaning on the counter and smiling down at them. “Don’t normally get little’ns here!” She observed with a chuckle. “Unless they’re on the menu of course!” She winked and the girls giggled happily.

“Go ahead!” Mollie urged, taking out her card. “Order whatever you like! You’re fattening piggies after all!” There was more giggling then the sisters began to study the board listing the sandwiches, rolls and other fresh snacks available alongside the display of chocolate bars, pre-packaged cakes, cooking and other sweet backed goods and the chiller cabinet of soda cans and bottles at the back.”

“What have you got with Girl in it, please?” Jessica asked politely.

“Well,” the woman glanced at the board to refresh her own memory. “We’ve got the ham salad rolls, the bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches, oh and the sausage rolls!” The girls opted for one each of the sandwiches, asking the lady if she wouldn’t mind cutting the ham salad roll in half so that they could share both, something she was more than happy to do, and a sausage roll each. At Mollie’s urging, they both also chose a cake, a chocolate bar and a can of Soda. Mollie herself went for the BLT and a chocolate bar with a bottle of water then paid for everyone and showed the girls round to the picnic area.

A few of the staff were already making use of the tables and benches but there was still plenty of free space and the trio sat down at a table like the ones often found in parks, with benches bolted to either side.

“So what was it you want to...oh!” Jessica exclaimed as her eyes fell upon the apparatus which was at the back of the picnic area, fairly close to the wire fence and clearly intended to be visible from the road. Although there was no cross-bar on it for the moment, it was clearly a spit-roasting pit with a carving mount just in front.

“Yup!” Mollie giggled as the pair gazed at it, their eyes wide with loving fascination. “That’s where we’re going to be cooking Emma later. That’s the volunteer from the Guide troop.” she clarified, realising she had not mentioned the name to the girls before.

“Will you spit her on one of the tables?” Marcia asked, looking around and noticing the absence of any kind of spitting bench or frame.

“No,” Mollie explained with a smile, “we’ll do that inside then bring her out here to cook.” After being assured that they would get to enjoy the whole process later and that asking too many questions now might spoil the fun of the tour and demonstration, the girls happily tucked into their food, splitting their sandwiches 50/50 so that they could get to enjoy both. “So...” Mollie took a deep breath and licked her lips that had gone slightly dry with anticipation. The girls looked at her curiously. “In fact…” She stood up. Only about half her colleagues were out having their lunches in the sunshine but it was the most she was likely to gather together without calling a formal meeting and it seemed as good a time as any to make the announcement. The others could be brought up to speed during the afternoon.

“Can I have everyone’s attention, please?” She called out, well accustomed to making her voice carry at parties and other events. “Just for a moment! There’s something I want to tell you all.” The various conversations stopped, those who were reading a book or looking at their phone put them down and soon all eyes were on her. “It’s been awesome working here,” she told them with a warm smile, “and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it! But I feel like the time has come to move on so,” she paused, enjoying the build-up, “I have agreed to be the birthday roast for a sweet girl and her brother in four weeks time! I’m finally going to get to experience the joy of being meat!” There was a surprised silence for only a second but then Maureen started clapping and the others joined in, some adding whoops, whistles and shouts of encouragement and congratulations. “Thank you!” Mollie gushed. “That was all I wanted to say! Now I’ll leave you in peace to enjoy your lunches!”


To be continued...